The Caribou, or Reindeer, is located in northern countries such as Canada, Russia, Greenland, Finland, Norway and Sweden. It can also be found in the state of Alaska.

Diet

The diet of the Caribou varies as the seasons change. In the summertime, when vegetation is more plentiful, Caribou will feed on a variety of plants including willow leaves. In the wintertime, Caribou will use their hooves to dig through snow to get to moss and other lichens that lie beneath the arctic surface.

Habitat

Caribou are migratory animals and are known for mass migrations across the tundra in search of food. Caribou are well adapted to living in the tundra with thick fur and skin that enable them to enter frigid rivers while migrating. The hooves of caribou are wide to assist supporting it on surfaces such as mud and snow, and wide hooves will also help the caribou to dig and swim.

Size and Description

Female Caribou will weigh about 200 pounds, and can weigh as little as 180 pounds as adults. Males weigh about twice as much on average but can weigh up to as much as 600 pounds. Caribou will stand from 35 - 55 inches at the shoulder. Males and females both have antlers and will shed their antlers at different times in the year, older males losing theirs after the mating season and females losing theirs in the summer.

Reproduction

The mating season, or rut, occurs in fall and the calving season occurs in spring when the female will give birth to usually one calf.